The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1887-11-25

"Hold on, Rags; put the solids In first,
er you'll smash the tarts"
A smile passed over each face as the
waits loaded their bag with the remains
of the meal.
'Ready, RagsY"
'"Yes; let me git my op'ra hat on all
square,"
She arranged her hcadgear to suit her,
and followed Bottles to the door.
Then-all this brightness turned to
clouds, for n tall, blue clad form, with
double rows of brass buttons upon the
breast, stood there.
Come with me, kids" said the officer,
taking hold of each Icy the shoulder.
"You don't mean US? l say, boss,
you've got the wrong party. We hain't
done nuthn, have we, Ragsr
But poor little Rags was crying. The
blue coats had always been the terror of
her life. She had heard terrible stories
about them. Now, she and Bottles are il.
the care of one, and she is ready to drop
in fright.
"What's the racket, boss?' asked Bot
ties. He, too, was troubled; but he must
put on brave face for the girls sake.
"Lifting purse. Come on"
And this was the end of the poor little
waits grand dinner. On the way to the
station house with an officer.
A curious crowd CT street boys, news
paper vendors, bootblacks and the like
followed the policeman and his two little
prisoners to the station house.
His honor was taking dinner; would not
hold court today, and the two waits were
put into u comfortable cell upstairs.
Rags cried herself to sleep, while Dot
ties, hero like, sat by her side upon the
cot and kept cheering her up by telling
| her that it would be all right in the
morning
And down stairs, under lock and key,
the unlucky purse and ring were lying in
| the desk drawer.
"Next."
The two waits, Bottles and Rags were
| pushed forward until they stood III front
| of the desk before his honor.
"Bless me! what's thiss Little ones,
what arc you doing here?" asked the kind
| faced judge, beaming down upon the pair,
through set OF gold bowed glasses.
Bottles knew it was not proper for him
| to speak, and Rags could not.
'NOfficer, what is the charge against this
pairy" asked the judge of the policeman
| who had made the arrest.
STEALING purse, your honor"
"Ah! that is a serious charge"
But, sir, t ain't''----
Never mind, my little man; your turn
will come. Let the party who made the
complaint stand forward
A tall man, clad in clerical garments,
with long drawn visagc. stepped for
| ward. The corners OF his trap like
mouth were drawn down in a
most solemn expression. He clasped
his hands in front of him, and turned
his eyes upon the little waits, as though
even their presence was unholy to his
cloth.
Your name?" uttered the judge.
"Rev. Abraham Clearstarch.
Bottles could hardly hold in the litter
which, Notwithstanding the solemnity of
the occasion, was ready to bubble from
his lips.
You are a minister, arc you nots''
The reverend gentlemen bowed
"Mr. Clearstarch, you may state your
case in as few words rs possible.
Eyes, sir. Day before yesterday after
noon, lpurchased q ring for my daughter.
put the ring into my purse, and walked
down to India wharf upon business.
Upon returning to my hotel found that
my purse was gone. / retraced my steps;
purse. Yesterday afternoon Mt dinner in
the hotel where | was stopping / saw
the ring upon the finger of this girl.
recognized the ring, and knew
at once that she must know of the
purse. left the dining room, found an
officer and had him make the arrest. The
girl picked my pocket"
"Sure Of that, Mr. Clearstarchg' asked
his honor.
'She must have done so. l certainly
could not have lost it," responded the
reverend gentleman.
WAS the purse and ring found upon
the person of the culprit?" asked the judge
Of the officer.
'"The ring was upon the girls finger,
the purse in the boys pocket"
Dad case. Now, my little man, tell
your story"
''If you please, sir, I'm only boy,
rough and all that, sir. L swear sum-
times and-maybe you wouldn't believe
me. She'll tell you all bout it. You
see, she's only little girl what hain't
got no friend in all the world but Bottles
Bottles is me- sir Rags is her name
She never swears and-she never picked
his pockets. l know that, cause I'm her
father, you see.n
DOtIlcS litu lOull Ills tOUBue anu uc ue-
livered the foregoing in straightforward
way, which made the judge smile good
naturally.
''NoU, Rags, tell it all. Don't he
feared. The gospel sharp can't hurt u.s."
whispered Bottles to the trembling girl by
his side.
With frequent Gobs and choking excla-
nations Rags told her story, which you
already know. She also told how good
Bottles had been to her; how he had often
gone without anything to eat so that she
should have food. In all, she gave faith
full picture Of the peculiar life which
surrounded the pair. The Judge was as
suEed of her truth, and after She had
ceased, he said
"It's evident that the girl has told what
is true. Is there any one in the room ac-
quainted with the pair?" A sleek, fat,
jolly looking man stepped forward and
said:
II know them, your honor. keep n
butcher shop down in South street. A
newsboy came and told me last night that
Bottles and Rags had been arrested Your
honor, stand here to say, from the bot